Thyrsis : Quotations
Thyrsis is a notable literary work by Alfred Lord Tennyson. A complete discussion of this literary work is given, which will help you enhance your literary skills and prepare for the exam. Read the Main texts, Key info, Summary, Themes, Characters, Literary devices, Quotations, Notes, and various study materials of Thyrsis.
Quotations
“For Time, not Corydon, hath conquer’d thee.”
Explanation: Arnold says that it was not a rival shepherd (Corydon) who defeated Thyrsis (his friend Arthur Hugh Clough), but time itself. This means that the hardships and struggles of life defeated him, not another poet.
“Too rare, too rare, grow now my visits here!”
Explanation: The poet regrets that he no longer visits the countryside (Oxford) as often as he once did. It shows his emotional distance and how time has changed his life.
“A fugitive and gracious light he seeks,”
Explanation: This line suggests the poet’s memory of beauty and peace in nature. The “fugitive light” symbolizes fleeting moments of inspiration and clarity that are hard to hold onto.
“Yes, thou art gone! and round me too the night
In ever-nearing circle…”
Explanation: The poet mourns the death of his friend, Thyrsis (Arthur Hugh Clough). He feels as if darkness (symbolizing sorrow and death) is slowly surrounding him, too. It expresses deep grief and a sense of approaching his own end.
“Where are the mowers…?
They all are gone, and thou art gone as well!”
Explanation: Here, Arnold compares the passing of life and people with the disappearance of the mowers in the field. The empty fields represent the absence of joy and companionship. The poet feels lonely after losing both his friend and the vibrant life that once surrounded them.
“Our tree yet crowns the hill.”
Explanation: This line is symbolic. The tree represents memory, constancy, and shared past. Even though Thyrsis is gone, their special tree still stands. It reminds the poet of the enduring friendship and shared experiences that death cannot erase.